Non-verbal Communication in Depression

This important monograph systematically examines the ways in which mental illness may affect non-verbal interaction patterns.

Heiner Ellgring (Author)

9780521047562, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 November 2007

284 pages
22.9 x 15.3 x 1.7 cm, 0.435 kg

How does mood affect non-verbal communication, the gazes, gestures and facial expressions which accompany dialogue? This important monograph, based on a longitudinal study of five hundred interviews with depressed patients and normal subjects, systematically examines the ways in which mental illness may affect non-verbal interaction patterns. A number of specific patterns of non-verbal behaviour are identified which relate directly to psychological state and also depend on the interaction of the participants in a dialogue. Non-verbal Communication in Depression is not only rich in much-needed empirical data, but it also offers a fresh theoretical and methodological perspective on communicative behaviour in general. Most importantly, perhaps, it represents a real advance in our understanding of the functions of various non-verbal mechanisms and thus provides the clinical psychologist and psychiatrist with an important diagnostic tool.

List of figures
List of tables
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Relating nonverbal behaviour to psychological disorders
3. Social interaction and affective state of depression
4. Longitudinal study during the course of depression - methodological aspects
5. Facial expression of mood and emotions
6. Gaze and speech
7. Gestures
8. Exemplary single cases
9. Nonverbal reaction patterns
10. Nonverbal expression of mood - general discussion and conclusions
Appendixes
References
Index of authors
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Social, group or collective psychology [JMH]